ONE YOU HAVE JUDGED SHOWS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE YOU’VE DONE THE FORT WORTH STEER SHOW. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT JUDGING THE MOST RENOWNED STEER SHOW IN THE WORLD? My gut instinct answer to this question is actually stated in the question itself! “The most renowned steer show in the world”!!! That statement alone makes a lifetime commitment of judging shows across the country well worth it. In the past 9 months, I would hate to guess the number of times that I have been asked by livestock show fans across species and across the country “Are you ready?” Initially I had to ask what they meant, but it didn’t take long to figure out the subject matter
related to that open ended question was the Fort Worth Steer Show. To me, there is a bit of irony in this question, because the last time I was asked to judge a junior market species at the Fort Worth Stock Show was the very first Texas major I had the opportunity to judge. It was the barrow show 25 years ago! I will never forget that incredibly nervous feeling of standing in that sift alley of that barrow show before the first pig hit the ring wondering if I had the ability, was I ready, could I handle the task that was put in front of me? 25 years later at every event I judge, I still have the same butterfly feelings running through my mind just prior to the first creature hitting the ring. I tell you this because I firmly believe that these feelings are critical for any evaluator that wants to achieve pure focus and define excellence every chance they get to be in the ring! To close
this question, I am looking forward to being a part of the most historical livestock event in the country. I am looking forward to working with a tremendous set of young people masterfully presenting the most intimidating set of domesticated creatures coming down that alley onto the arena surface for the greatest battle the stock show industry knows! TWO YOU ARE A TEACHER, COACH, JUDGE AND SHOW DAD. HOW DO THEY ALL COMPARE TO EACH OTHER? ARE THERE SOME ASPECTS OF EACH YOU LIKE BEST? I have read and re-read the first sentence in question 2 and it brings a smile to my face each time I read it! If you tack on a loving husband that is continually working on improving that is me in a nutshell! I don’t think you can separate teacher and coach. I believe that you can’t be an impactful coach unless you know how to effectively deliver information as a teacher would and I don’t think you can effectively teach unless you have the respect of your classroom as a successful team has towards their coach! I know that I try to be a teacher and a coach that I would like to send my 3 children to learn from. When I am in the ring as a judge, I strive to be a judge that I would like my 3 children to show to every time
and as a show dad, I take every opportunity I can to teach, coach, celebrate the wins, and reflect on defeat when it comes our way. I approach all my roles exactly the same – if it is good for my children, then it is good for all! THREE WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU AS A PERSON? I know it is cliché’, but each one of my family members have had a significant influence on who I am. My grandparents gave me the opportunity to be raised in the livestock industry. My aunts and uncles were and still are my biggest fans. My mom would not rest unless I was maximizing my talent in whatever I was doing. My father taught me about the livestock industry and the people in it and what it truly means to be a livestock show judge. My wife and children have molded me into who I am today and bring an element of peace and comfort to my life that makes it all worth it. FOUR IF YOU COULD BUILD THE PERFECT STEER, WHAT WOULD HE LOOK LIKE? Real easy – a perfect blend of the best middle linebacker to ever play the game, with a splash of an Olympic track star, and a splash of the sexiest supermodel ever to hit the catwalk! I am an avid hunter, but don’t own one
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